The sheriff\u2019s office said the animal owner will be formally charged with several criminal violations. The owner\u2019s name had not been released in the sheriff\u2019s office update.<\/p>\n
A horse can have water in reach and still be in serious trouble if there is no hay, no shelter, no hoof care, and no one checking its condition closely.<\/p>\n
Deputies Said The Horses Were Seriously Malnourished![\"thin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/df3f2e64a4a103e3ac3d005303309cc0.jpeg\"\/)
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Image Credit: Shutterstock.<\/p>\n
Agricultural Detective Garboski responded to the scene and began the investigation, according to the sheriff\u2019s office. His report said multiple mares had body condition scores of 1.5 to 2.<\/p>\n
The agency said the horses had highly visible bone structure and very little fat covering. They were being kept in an area made of cattle panels with no grass, no hay, and no shelter from the elements, though the sheriff\u2019s office said the horse areas did have access to water.<\/p>\n
Body condition scoring is a standard way to assess fat cover on a horse. Ohio State University Extension says regular body condition checks can help owners spot feeding or health problems before they get worse.<\/p>\n
Overgrown Hooves Added To The Concern<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office said all of the horses had extremely overgrown hooves and needed farrier care.<\/p>\n
Officials said untrimmed hooves can lead to structural imbalance, painful overgrowth, hoof deformity, permanent lameness, joint strain, and extreme discomfort.<\/p>\n
University of Florida IFAS guidance says regular trimming helps prevent overgrowth, cracking, and imbalance, and most horses need farrier care every five to eight weeks, depending on the animal and conditions.<\/p>\n
The Horses Are Now Under Veterinary Care<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office said Eugene Carter, a local horseman contracted by the agency to help recover abused large animals, removed 13 horses from the property at Detective Garboski\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n
The horses will begin rehabilitation at Carter\u2019s property under the care and direction of a large-animal veterinarian.<\/p>\n
Anyone with information about abused animals was asked to contact the Levy County Sheriff\u2019s Office or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.<\/p>\n